SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

CLASS X
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT II
ENGLISH
Code No. 101
(COMMUNICATIVE)
TIME : 3 Hrs MM : 80

The Question paper is divided into four sections:

Section A: Reading 20 Marks
Section B: Writing 20 Marks
Section C: Grammar 20 Marks
Section D: Literature 20 Marks

General Instructions
5. All questions are compulsory
6. You may attempt any section at a time
7. All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order

4
No. Questions Marks

SECTION A - READING
READING - 20 MARKS
1. Read the poem given below and answer the questions; 5
Wind
Subramania Bharati
Wind, come softly.
Don't break the shutters of the windows.
Don't scatter the papers.
Don't throw down the books on the shelf.
There, look what you did - you threw them all down.
You tore the pages of the books.
You brought rain again.
You're very clever at poking fun at weaklings.
Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,
crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,
crumbling hearts -
the wind god winnows and crushes them all.

He won't do what you tell him.

So, come, let's build strong homes,
Let's join the doors firmly.
Practise to firm the body.
Make the heart steadfast.
Do this, and the wind will be friends with us.
The wind blows out weak fires.
He makes strong fires roar and flourish.
His friendship is good.
We praise him every day.
Wind, come softly.
Given below is the summary of the poem. Fill in the blanks with suitable words
to complete the summary. Use only one word for each blank.
The poet begins by a) ___________to the wind to blow softly and not cause havoc by
breaking window shutters, scattering paper or throwing books on the shelf. The poet
b) ___________against the wind since it has torn the pages of the books and has
brought rain again. The poet feels that the wind is extremely clever as it c)
____________fun of those who are weak. It does not like anything weak. Everything

5
No. Questions Marks

that d) _______easily be it houses, doors, wood or rafters, is e)

_____________mercilessly by wind. Besides, it also crushes weak bodies, lives and
hearts. The poet f) __________wind to a God who doesn't do what people tell him to
.The poet offers a g) ____________to help humanity. He appeals to people to be
firm, positive and strong both physically as well as mentally. They must have a h)
_____________heart if they want to be friends with wind. If we are strong then wind
will not only i) _____________ us but also aid us in achieving success and in flourishing.
It is j) __________to be friends with wind.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by
choosing the answers from the given options. 5

TRAVELLING THE INDIAN WAY

Pankaj Dovall TNN
Over the years, the Pope has been driven around in quite a few different vehicles,
which most people refer to as the 'Popemobile.' The last time the Pope visited the
United States, for instance, his ride was a modified Mercedes-Benz M Class SUV
which had been specially modified to accommodate his needs. In fact, Mercedes-
Benz has a long history of creating vehicles specially for the Pope, and now Piaggio
has joined in as well. Piaggio's contribution, though, features just three wheels and is
made from the rickshaw platform which is popular in India, where the vehicle was
created.
The autorickshaw is now all set for a papal touch. Two made-in-Maharashtra three-
wheelers desi versions of the 'Popemobile', the specially-designed automobile used
by the Pope at public appearances, is to whirr across the Vatican. The three-wheelers
have been presented to the Pope by Italian automaker Piaggio which manufactures
them at its Baramati plant. The Piaggio Ape Calessino vehicles, that carry special
insignia of the Vatican city and are white in colour in line with papal requirements,
were presented to Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican last week, marking one of the
most visible Indian connections to the spiritual leader.
"These vehicles were given a complete look and feel of a Popemobile by putting a
white coloured hood, white tyres, seat upholstery, and white body paint. The insignia
on the doors is specially handcrafted. The entire vehicle was given a complete unique
decor to suit the aura of His Holiness," Ravi Chopra, CMD of Piaggio's Indian
subsidiary, told TOI.
Chopra said the Pope gave the delegation an audience where they apprised him of
the vehicles and where they were manufactured. "He enquired about India and
expressed a desire to visit the country," Chopra said. But would the Holy father actually
get to use the vehicles and why would he prefer a three-wheeler over his fleet of cars?
Chopra is confident he will. "Just as a golf cart, they can be used by the Pope, may be
for moving in the garden or some other purpose," he said.

6
No. Questions Marks

1. Based on your reading of the news clipping above complete the following
statements:
1. The Pope is ……………………….
a) a man who loves cars
b) a spiritual leader
c) the King of Vatican
d) an environmentalist
2. Piaggio, is………… company.
a) an Indian
b) a Vatican
c) an American
d) an Italian
3. To meet papal requirements, the manufacturer
a) presented the three-wheelers at the Vatican
b) modified the vehicles to accommodate the needs of the pope
c) designed the vehicles specially for the pope's public appearances
d) gave the vehicle a complete white look and the insignia of the Vatican city
4. The management of Piaggio is confident that the Pope will prefer a three-wheeler
over his fleet of cars because ……………….
a) he needs it to play golf
b) he cannot use the other vehicles in the garden
c) it is more fuel-efficient
d) it is less polluting
5. Pick out from the passage a word that means 'a particular quality that seems to surround
a person'
a) aura
b) insignia
c) papal
d) touch

7
No. Questions Marks

3. Read the passage given below and complete the sentences that follow : 5
Many animals are able to communicate with each other very well-but none of them can
talk as we do. That is, no animals use words.
Birds cry out and make sounds that other birds understand. Smells, movements, and
sounds are used for communication by animals, through which they express joy or
anger or fear.
Human speech is a very complicated process, which no animal can perform. One
reason is that in a very special way we use a whole series of organs to produce the
sounds we want to make when we utter words. The way our vocal cords are made to
vibrate, the way the throat, mouth and nasal cavities are adjusted, the way the lips,
teeth, lower jaw, tongue, and palate are moved - just to make vowel and consonant
sounds, is something animals can't do. They cannot produce a whole series of words
to make a sentence. And there is another, perhaps more important reason why animals
can't talk. Words are only labels for objects, actions, feelings expressions and ideas.
For example, the word 'bird' is a label for a living, flying object. Other words describe
its colour, shape, flying and singing. Still other words would be used to tell what the
speaker thinks or feels about the bird or its actions.
For human beings, therefore, the use of words means the use of labels or symbols,
and then organizing them in a certain way to communicate something. This requires a
degree of intelligence and logical thinking that no animals have. So, they can't talk the
way people do.
1. While human beings use words to communicate, birds and animals are different since
they use ___________________________________________ for communication.
2. Though birds and animals cannot communicate like human beings, they are capable
of ____________________________________________.
3. The complicated process of human speech requires a very special way of using
_________ _________________________.
4. Using words for communication requires intelligence and____________________.
5. Pick out a word form the third paragraph that means 'to move from side to side very
quickly and with small movements'
8. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by
choosing the answers from given options. 5
The death of Dr Christiaan Barnard, the famous transplant surgeon, has occurred at a
time when many of his modern counterparts are facing difficulties. Many of the early
problems, such as tissue rejection, have, to a great extent, now been solved, thanks to
the introduction of new drugs. However, there remains a major problem. The people in
need of transplant surgery far outnumber the available organs.

8
No. Questions Marks

The shortage of organ donors has caused several doctors to call for urgent
improvements to be made to the system by which organs are donated. Many countries,
such as Britain, have huge waiting lists of people whose lives could be saved by being
given a kidney, lung, heart, or liver transplant. Sadly, many of them die before they
reach the top of those lists.
Under the present British scheme, people are asked to carry donor cards, and/or put
their names on the national donor register. Thus, if they lose their lives suddenly, for
example, in a traffic accident, they have given permission in advance of their deaths
for their organs to be used. If they have not done so, surgeons are faced with the task
of asking the distraught next-of-kin for permission to use the organs of the deceased.
Of course, often the relatives are too upset even to think of such a thing until it is too
late. Organ transplants have to take place quite soon after the death of the donor.
Dying and donating organs is not something most of us like to think about, and only
about 14% of people have registered. Now, it has been suggested that, instead of the
present register, there should be a register of people who wish to opt out of having
their organs removed for transplant surgery.
Increasing the number of donors is made more difficult because it is such an emotive
issue. Just recently, an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association
showed that half of the families in the United States refused, when asked for permission
to use the organs of their loved ones.
1. Contemporary doctors face difficulties in transplant surgery because
a) tissue rejection has not been solved
b) expert doctors like Christian Barnard are not at hand to give advice
c) people needing transplant outnumber donors
d) introduction of new drugs has led to harmful side effects.
2. Patients often meet an unfortunate end because of…………
a) shortage of donors
b) tissue mis-match
c) lack of good doctors
d) lack of funds
3. Carrying donor cards is helpful in……………………
a) asking people to donate organs
b) preventing accidental deaths
c) locating relatives of donors
d) locating donors quickly after death

9
No. Questions Marks

4. Many do not want to donate organs because …………………

a) they are selfish
b) they cannot reach the hospital in time
c) they are ignorant
d) of emotional reasons
5. The word 'distraught' in the third paragraph means…………..
a) upset
b) angry
c) selfish
d) happy

SECTION - B
WRITING - 20 MARKS
5. Recently you celebrated your birthday in a grand manner. Many of your friends
attended the party. Write a brief description of the birthday party giving all
the relevant details in about 80 words. 4
6. You have noticed many stray animals on the road during the busy hours of
the day. Write a letter to the editor of a leading newspaper about the nuisance
created by the stray animals. Sign your name as Kriti/ Krishnan. (120 words) 8

7. While reading the newspaper, you came across the following news item.

Two Dutch women attacked, robbed in New Delhi

New Delhi: Two Dutch women on a world tour were brutally
attacked and robbed of their money and passports by two men
posing as tourist guides, police said.

10
No. Questions Marks

Such incidents deter tourists from visiting the country. Based on the information given
above, and using the ideas from the Unit Travel and Tourism and your own, write an
article for a national newspaper in about 150 words on the subject offering suggestions
for improving tourist facilities. Also give a suitable title. 8

SECTION - C
GRAMMAR - 20 MARKS
8. Complete the passage given below choosing the correct alternatives. ½ x8= 4
Many people a) …………… have grown up in multi-child families b) ………………..
that a single child family is a very fortunate one. They mention such benefits c)
……………………. lack of competition d) ……………………. parental love in such
families. According to them e) ……………………. of such children possesses a large
wardrobe f) ……………………. clothes. But the picture is not g) …………………….
rosy. In spite of getting everything h) ……………………. children are very lonely and
long for company.
a) (i) that (ii) which (iii) who (iv) which
b) (i) are thinking (ii) thinks (iii) have thought (iv) think
c) (i) like (ii) such (iii) instance (iv) example
d) (i) in (ii) of (iii) for (iv) about
e) (i) all (ii) each (iii) some (iv) one
f) (i) for (ii) of (iii) in (iv) on
g) (i) all (ii) so (iii) as (iv) such
h) (i) that (ii) those (iii) this (iv) these

9. Here are some notes about the annual function of Golden Jubilee School and
College in the diary of the Cultural Secretary of the college. Study the given
notes and complete the paragraph that follows by filling up the blanks with
the most appropriate option from those given. 4
Notes in the diary
G Celebration of annual function in institute.
G The Mayor of the city-Chief Guest
G Principal and the staff welcomed him
G The Mayor's wife gave away prizes
G The Principal hosted dinner

11
No. Questions Marks

The annual function of the Golden Jubilee School and College a)………….. with great
pomp and show. The Mayor of the city, b)……………………… on the occasion.
c)…………………… by the Principal and the staff. d)………………………………..
the wife of the Chief Guest. A dinner was hosted by the Principal of the Golden Jubilee
School and College.
a) (i) was celebrated (ii) is being celebrated
(iii) has been celebrated (iv) had been celebrated
b) (i) that was the Chief Guest (ii) Being the Chief Guest
(iii) who was the Chief Guest (iv) who was a Chief Guest
c) (i) was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival
(ii) has been accorded a warm welcome on his arrival
(iii) will be accorded warm welcome on his arrival
(iv) has been accorded a warm welcome on their arrival
d) (i) Prize were given to students (ii) Prize will be given away by
(iii) Prize had been given by (iv) Prizes were given away by

10. Rearrange the following to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been
done as an example for you. 4
world/languages/there were/ dialects/ some 300 different / in the/
There were some 300 different languages and dialects in the world.
a) communications/ not matter/were slow/ it did/ between different/ when the/ parts of the
world/
b) for a/ people / feel / our / times / the need / but / in / common language/
c) unconnected with / creation of/ the first solution / an / artificial language/ was the/ any /
existing language/
d) invention / of a /natural/ based / on/ the / second solution/ a synthetic/language/ was
the/
11. Read the following conversation between a mother and daughter while
watching a cricket match. Complete the passage given below. 1x4= 4
Mother: Who do you think will win the match?
Daughter: Who is wearing blue?
Mother: India
Daughter: Who are the men in yellow?
Mother: They are the Australians

12
No. Questions Marks

Daughter: They will surely win the match.

Mother: Oh! Why do you feel so?
Daughter: There are 11 of them against just two Indians.
The mother asked her daughter who a)…………………………… The daughter
enquired who the ones in blue were. The mother replied that they were Indians. The
girl then wanted b) …………………………… When the mother said that they were
Australians, the daughter emphatically c) ……………………………. The mother d)
……………………. . The daughter replied that there were 11 of them against just two
Indians.
12. Complete the following news reports accompanying the following headlines
by filling in the blanks. 1x4= 4
a) Drinking and Driving Banned
Drinking and driving ____________________.
b) Two killed in Accident
Two_________________________ between a car and a truck due to the fog on the
roads
c) Drive against Illegal Constructions launched.
The police_________________________ illegally constructed houses in Mumbai
d) Cold wave claims 125 lives in country
The cold wave in North India ____________________ 125 people.

SECTION - D
LITERATURE - 20 MARKS
13A. Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow by
choosing the correct options. 3
(A) All in a hot and copper sky,
The bloody Sun, at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the Moon.
a) How is the Sun different now from the Sun earlier?
i. The sun is hot now but earlier the sun was glorious
ii. The sun is glorious and red now but earlier the sun was hot

13
No. Questions Marks

iii. There is no Sun now only fog and mist

iv. The Sun was large earlier but now it is small
b) Why are the sailors unable to move at this moment?
i. They are stuck in the land of ice and snow
ii. They are unable to move because they were surrounded by icebergs
iii. There is no breeze to help them sail.
iv. The rotting vegetation does not allow them to sail.
c) Name a poetic device used in the above lines.
i. Repetition
ii. Imagery
iii. Simile
iv. Metaphor
OR

CAESAR: And you are come in very happy time, 3

To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
CALPURNIA: Say he is sick.
a) Whom does Caesar greet in the first line?
i. Antony
ii. Decius Brutus
iii. Brutus
iv. Antony
b) What message does Caesar want to send to the senators?
i. He will not come to the Senate.
ii. He wants to greet the senators
iii. He is afraid to move out of the house
iv. He is sick

14
No. Questions Marks

c) What makes Caesar change his mind?

i. He is feeling better
ii. He wants to rejuvenate Rome and give it new blood
iii. He is afraid of what the Senators will think of him.
iv. The information that the Senators plan to give him a crown that day
13B. We watched the other people getting up to leave. I didn't believe the grass
would be empty, all around us ... that we would be alone in this place. 3
a) Where was the speaker of these lines?
b) Who were the others? Why were they leaving?
c) What decision did Grandmother take? What does this tell you about her?
14. Answer any four of the following questions. 2x4= 8
a) Why did Ali not come to the Post Office for several days? Why was he impatient when
he finally returned to the Post Office?
b) Why did the frog observe the animals who came to hear the nightingale with joy, which
was both sweet and bitter?
c) Why does the woman turn away from the lake in agitation?
d) The crowd in Julius Caesar does not understand the speech of Brutus. Comment.
e) Why does the Ancient Mariner stop and tell his tale to the Wedding Guest?
15. Bring out the use of the supernatural in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. 6
OR
Mark Antony in 'Julius Caesar' says,
'Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!'
How was Antony successful in instigating the people of Rome against the conspirators?
Write your answer in about 150 words.

15